§ Mr. BurdenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is his assessment of the number of sites of special scientific interest which could be damaged by water abstraction in 1996–97; [17357]
624W(2) what is his assessment of the number of sites of special scientific interest that were damaged by water abstraction in 1995–96. [17358]
§ Mr. ClappisonEnglish Nature is at present assessing, in consultation with the National Rivers Authority, 148 sites of special scientific interest in England which may be affected by water abstraction. A report is expected next month.
§ Mr. BurdenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from English Nature on the impact of water abstraction on sites of special scientific interest and what response he has made. [17359]
§ Mr. ClappisonIn October 1992, English Nature submitted a response to the Department's consultation document "Using Water Wisely". In January this year, it made representations about Yorkshire Water's proposals for a drought order to take additional water from the River Derwent near York. The company requested postponement of a hearing on this order to enable further discussion to take place.